Rotary weaving machine



Dec. 2, 1958 T. F. MCGINLEY ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. 29, 1954 Thomas F. Mc G/n/ey Dec. 2, 1958 T. F. MCGINLEYROTARY WEAVING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 29, 1954 3 Thomas EMcG/n/ey INVENTOR.

B'Y @Mm WW EM Dec. 2, 1958 1'. F. M GINLEY 2,362,525

ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 4

Fig. 3

Thomas E McG/n/ey INVENTOR.

' Dec. 2, 19 58 T. F. McGlNLEY 2,8 2,525

ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE Filed 001:; 29, 1954 I 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 F jg 5206 208 Thomas F. McGin/ey INVENTOR,

Dec. 2, 1958 T. F. MCGINLEY ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE Filed Oct. '29, 19548 Sheets-Sheet 5 Thomas E McGin/ey 'INVENTOR.

Dec. 2, 1958 T. F. McGlNLEY 2,862,525

ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE 1 Filed Oct. 29, 1954 v 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 cnvrsnLINE OF SEGMENTAL CARRIERS Thomas E McG'in/ey INVENTOR.

Dec. 2, 1958 T. F. M GlNLEY ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1954 8Sheets-Sheet 7 Thomas I? Mc Gin/49y IN V EN TOR. wi h BY Dec. 2, 1953Filed Oct. 29, 1954 Fig. /4

IOIA

T. F. M GINLEY ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Thomas E MaGin/ey INVENTOR.

U d St t Pate t Q ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE Thomas F. McGinley,Phillipsburg, N. J. Application October 29, 1954, Serial N0.' i6 5,6 1728 Claims. (c1. 139 17 This invention comprises a novel and usefulrotary weaving machine and more specifically relates to a loom placingof the warp threads upon the beam is 'a time consuming operation as isthe repairing of any warp thread during the loom operation.

The filler threads are woven into the warp threads by verticallydisplacing sets of warp threads to form a shed through which the fillerthread is carried by a spool or bobbin, on a shuttle, the latter beinghurled from one side of the loom to the other. The reciprocatingmovements of the shuttle actuating mechanism, the accelerating forcesacting upon the shuttle and filler thread or weft and the lack ofcontrol of the shuttle during its travel are all fruitful sources ofwear of the associated elements anda prolific source of breakage of theparts and damage to the material being woven.

It is therefore the general purpose of this invention to provide anapparatus and method of weaving wherein the above disadvantages may beobviated.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a weaving machinewhich 'will eliminate the customary various reciprocating motions of theelements of conventional looms, and will replace them, insofar aspossible, with continuous rotating motions.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved loom inwhich a much smaller movement of the Warp threads in forming the shed ispossible, to thereby minimize danger of breaking or over-tensioning suchthreads, and yet wherein the weft or filler thread is passed into andthrough the shed in the weaving operation with a much greater centaintyof operation and in a much more rapid manner than is possible inconventional looms.

A further object of the invention is to provide a loom wherein theweaving operation may be elfected with a much faster operation andgreater number of picks per minute than is possible in a conventionalloom.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved loomwherein a readily varied and controlled twist in either direction may beeasily imparted at any time to the warp threads during the weavingoperation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a loom wherein thewarp threads may be more easily replaced when broken.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a rotary weaving machineincorporating therein the principles of this invention, parts beingbroken away and omitted in order to simplify the showing;

2,862,525 Patented Dec. 2, 1358 "T -Ce Figure 2 is a vertical transversesectional view of the rotary weaving machine of Figure 1, takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 22 of Figurel, with parts being omitted and other parts being broken away, and withthe parts in a position which they assume shortly prior to the pick;Figure 2-A is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the right end of themachine of Figure 1, showing the relative arrangement of various partsof the same and in the same position as Figure 2;

Figure 2-B is a detail view, partly in section, of a portion of the reedof the loom;

Figure 3 is a detail view taken upon an enlarged scale of a portion ofFigure 2 showing adjacent portions of a pair of complementary segmentsof a carrier plate and the manner in which the warp threads areassociated therewith for rotation to form the shed of the loom;

;;Fig1'1re 4 is a fragmentary detail view taken upon an enlarged scaleof a portion of Figure 1 and showing a portion of the bobbin carriers,and the reed construction together with some of the supporting gears andspacers of the loom and showing how a filling thread is passed into theshed;

Figure 5 is a top plan view, somewhat diagrammatic, of a portion of theloom, the warp threads, the weft thread and the fell, and showing themanner in which the filler thread has been laid across the pick arms inpreparation for being passed through the shed upon the next pick of theloom and for being woven into the warp threads; 1

Figure 6 is an end elevational View taken from the left of Figure 5 andshowing the position of the associated parts at the completion of thelaying of the filling thread in advance of the pick arms, and prior tothe ick; b

p Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing the position ofthe machine after the filling thread of Figures 5 and '6 has been pickedor passed through the shed and a new filling thread is being laid in thereverse direction 'across the pick arms for the next pick of the loom;

Figure 8 is a left end elevational view of the arrangement of Figure 7and showing the positions of the parts in Figure 7;

Figures 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views showing the manner in which therotary warp thread carriers function to open and close the shed of theloom; Figure l1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating therelative position and construction of a pick arm, a retainerspacer forthe bobbin carriers and a guide rail forth'e filling thread;

Figures 12 and 13 are, respectively, perspective views of the segmentsforming a carrier plate and the two sections forming a spacer, the partsbeing shown in proper position with respect 'to the central line ofrotation of the rotary carriers of the loom;

3 Figure 14 is a further plan development view showing diagrammaticallythe position of the various bobbins together with means for individuallyadjusting the bobbins to impart various desired twists to the warpthreads;

Figure 15 is a detail view in vertical section showing the mounting of abobbin upon a carrier plate together with the means for rotatablyadjusting the bobbin to control the twist of a warp thread from thatbobbin; and

Figure 16 is a detail view in vertical section showing the relativeposition of an upper spaced plate section, the bobbin carried by thecarrier, and the twist adjusting mechanism carried by the spacer plate.

GENERAL QRGANIZATION The rotary weaving machine in accordance'with thisinvention is mounted upon any suitable supporting frame work, not shown,which may include a first or inner pair standards 10 and 12 is a fillingor pick arm shaft 22 of H non-circular cross-section which is drivenfrom the power shaft 18 as by a belt drive 24. Suitably journaled in theframe supports 10 and 12 is a reed shaft 26 for beating the weft orfilling thread into the fell of the cloth and which is provided with agear 28 meshing with a gear 30 carried by the power shaft 18 foroperating the reed shaft in properly timed relation to the pick armshaft and the other instrumentalities of the rotary weaving machine.

Also mounted upon the power shaft 18 is a gear 32 for driving therotating bobbin carriers and which gear is continuously in mesh with aplurality of gears 34 each carried by a connecting shaft 36 journaled inthe standards 10 and 12. As shown in Figure 2, each of the connectingshafts 36 is provided with an elongated drum gear 38 while the pickshaft 22 has a plurality of similar short drum gears 39 freely rotatablethereon, the shafts 36 and 22 with their gears 38 and 39 being disposedin parallel relation and in a circle about a central axis of rotationwhich is indicated in the dash and dot line C appearing in Figures11-13, as will be set forth in greater detail hereinafter.

The short drum gears 39 are each engaged by a floating gear 41,seeFigures 2, and 2A, which are each supported by elongated drum gears43 on a pair of suitably mounted Warp Thread Assembly In the novelrotary loom in accordance with this invention, the warp thread assemblyconsists of the usual horizontally extending warp threads 40, seeespecially Figures 5 and 7, which at one end extend from and, as theweaving progresses, are fed from substantially radially disposed bobbinsmounted upon and rotating with rotatable carriers, and which at theirother ends are secured to the usual roller, not shown, for winding upthe woven fabric, in a manner well understood in this art and hence inthe interests of simplification, is not shown in the drawings.

In the conventional type of loom, the two ends of the warp thread arefixed and stationary, mid-portions of the threads being intermittentlyraised and lowered in sets according to a predetermined pattern orsequence in order to form the sheds through which the filling threadsare passed by a shuttle. In the present invention, however,

the shed is formed by the rotary motion of the ends of,

the warp threads which are carried by and fed from two sets of radiallydisposed bobbins mounted upon rotatable bobbin carriers for continuousrotation as set forth hereinafter; and a single continuous weft orfilling thread is passed in a novel manner through the sheds as they areformed by the continuous rotation of the bobbins, the filling threadbeing beaten into the fell of the fabric by the operation of a reedshaft of novel and improved construction as set forth specificallyhereinafter.

Reference is ,now made more specifically to Figures 2, 3, and 12 for abetter understanding of the construction of the novel rotatable carriersof the bobbins. These latter may conveniently be fabricated fromrelatively thin sheet material as by stamping or the like.

The numeral 42 designates generally each of the plurality of bobbincarriers, each carrier comprising a pair of segments 42A and 42B. Whenplaced together in proper relation, as shown in Figures 2 and 12, these.segments comprise a circular disk or plate which has a curvingdiametrically disposed slot 44 of,substantially uniform width extendingbetween the two segments and through their axis of rotation. Thecarrier, or rather the two segments thereof, is peripherally toothed at46, which teeth are continuously in mesh with the drum gears 38 and 39upon the connecting shaft 36 and the pick arm shaft 22, whereby thecarrier segments are supported in proper position with respect to eachother and with respect to the other carrier segments of the loom, arerotatably driven by these gears and are maintained and connected in atimed relation with each other without the provision of a central axle,as set forth hereinafter.

In a manner to be set forth hereinafter, each of the carrier segments42A and 42B, as shown in Figure 2 has 'mounted thereon in radialposition with respect to its axis of rotation an elongated and taperedbobbin 48 (see Figure 16) from whence extends one end of the warp thread40.

As will be best apparent from Figures 2 and 12, the semi-circularcarrier segments 42A and 42B are provided with cut-away portions 50,there being provided radially extending or spoke-like portions, eitherlying across or at one end of the portions 50 one of the spoke-likeportions of each carrier segment, as shown at 52, having one of thebobbins mounted thereon. The spokes 52 and their bobbins 48 for the twosegments A and B of each carrier are disposed in diametrically oppositepositions, the spokes and bobbins of a set or unit of carriers beingspaced at equal angular intervals about the axis of rotation of thecarriers. Thus, the end most of the spokes 52, as in Figure 12 would beat the end of the opening 50 for two pairs of bobbins; while for theother pairs of diametrically opposite bobbins they would lie across theopening 50 at different angular intervals, one of which is shown inFigure 2.

Itwill also be apparent, particularly from Figure 3, that at theadjacent central portions of the carrier seg ments there are providedpairs of eyes or apertures 54, diametrically disposed on opposite sidesof the carrier segments axis of rotation, and through which the warpthreads 40 from the bobbins pass, as set forth in detail hereinafter.gated, being each divided into openings by a divider pin 55.

At this point, it should be observed that the mating, adjacentsubstantially diametrical edges of the semi-circular carrier segmentsare provided with complementary concave and convexly curved edges whichare spaced from each other to provide the above mentioned diametricalslot 44 between the carrier segments. Thus, the segment 42A is providedwith a concave edge 56 across one-half of its length, and with a convexedge 58 extending across the remainder of its length. The edge 56, 53constitutes one wall of the slot 44 and is of a flattened S-shape inconfiguration, extending substantially diametrically through the carrier42. The other segment 42B is provided with a slightly convex edge 69across onehalf of its length, this edge being substantially uniformlyspaced from the edge 56 of the segment 42A, while the remainder of thesegment 42B is provided with a concave edge 62 which is complementary tothe edge 58. The edges 60, 62 of the segment 42B constitute the otherwall of the slot 44 extending through the carrier between the twosegments thereof.

Itwill be understood that a plurality of carrier segments are provided,the number of the same depending upon the number of warp threads to bewoven by the machine. As a convenience in illustrating and describingthis phase of the invention, and it should be clearly understood thatthe principles of the invention are not limited thereto, there areillustrated units or sets of four carriers each, each carrier consistingof its two segments, thereby providing eight segments to a unit, each ofwhich segments carries a bobbin. Thus, each unit of the machine, in thearrangement illustrated, has eight bobbins and manipulates eight warpthreads.

These eyes are preferably somewhat elonv attests Tnthe followingdescription, the construction and funct ioni'ng "of one such unit areconsidered, it being apparent radial plane through their common axis ofrotation.

Also, the eight bobbins are disposed in opposite pairs at four equalangular intervals circumferentially about this axis. In the rotation ofthe eight bobbins, each moves through the same path in the same plane ofrotation, each bobbin passing through the position of the other bobbinsduring one rotation. However, since the carriers of the bobbins aredisposed in spaced -sideby-Side relation, it is evident that the carrierplateswill have their center lines displaced varying distances to eitherside of the center line of the bohbins in order that the plates may bedisposed in a side-by-side relation while the series of bobbins of a'unit are disposed in the same radial plane. a This relative positioningof the bobbins and the offsetting of the carriers from the center lineof the bobbins will be more clearly apparent from a consideration of thediagrammatic showing'of Figure 14. V

In Figure l4, there is schematically indicated the four carriers 42C,42D, 42E and 42F of a single set or unit of carriers while at 48 areshown the relative positionsof the eight bobbins mounted each upon oneof the eight segments of the four carriers.

Adjacent carriers are separated from each other by spacers, eachconsisting of two sections. As shown in Figure 13, each spacerincludes'an upper spacer section 70 of arcuate shape and having aplurality of apertured lugs 74 by means of which the same is mounted,and a lower spacer section 76 likewise having apertured lugs 78. The twoends of the upper section 70 arespaced from rthose of the lower sectionas by slots 80 and 8 2. The apertured lugs 74 and 78 are receivedslidably upon spacer rods 84, see Figures 1, 2 and 4, carried by thestandards 10 and 12, whereby the upper and lower spacer sections arepositioned between adjacent rotatable carriers 42 for spacing the same.The slots or openings 80 between the upper and lower sections of'thespacers comprise inlet means whereby a weft or filler thread extendingacross the entire back of the loom may be simultaneously passed throughthe series'of aligned slots 44 of the carrier plates and feed or inletslots 80 of the spacers, and after being passed through the shed asdescribed hereinafter may emerge from these plates through the exitslots 82 of the spacers and from thence be beat up into the fell by thereed.

There are also provided between each unit or set of carriers, a set ofarcuate retainer sections 85, see Figure 11, together with a set at eachend of the machine, the sets of arcuate retainers embracing the oppositeends of the units and having apertured mounting lugs 86 adapted to bereceived upon the spacer rods 84 upon which are mounted the upper spacersections 70, the retainer sections being positioned at the opposite endsand adjacent the upper portions of the row of rotatable carriers forretaining the same in assembled position. Suitable collars andset-screws and spacer washers are provided upon the spacer rods 84 forreleasablyretaining the retainer sections 85 in clamping position uponthe assembly of carriers and spacer sections.

The pick or filler arm shaft 22 previously mentioned is either of squareor non-circular cross section or is provided with square or non-circularportions intermediate its ends and each unit of carriers is enclosed bya pair of disks '92 having correspondingly shaped apertures 94 and whichare slid'ably but non-rotatably received upon this shaft for rotationtherewith.

The plates or disks 92 are provided with projecting arms 96 whichconstitute filler or pick arms for lifting the weft thread into thealigned slots 80 of the spacer sections 'for passing the weft orfillerthread through the aligned slots 44 of the carrier segments and fordischarging the filler thread from between the carrier segments throughthe slots 82 of the spacer sections. The disk 92 and its arm 96 lie inthe same plane as the retainer spacers 85 "and are so positioned thatthe end of the arm 96 passes the ends 87 and 89 of the retainer sectionin closely spaced relation. Suitable collars and setscrews 98, seeFigure -l, are slidable upon the pick arm shaft 22 for retaining thedisks '92 adjacent the endmost carriers and in the same plane as thoseof the spacers 85. The retainer sections or frames 85 and the disks 92jointly serve to retain the endmost carriers in proper position and thusclamp the carrier and spacer assembly together.

Referring now more specifically to Figures 1, 2 and 2B, it will be seenthat the reed shaft 26 is provided with a beam extending entirely acrossthe loom. This beam has pivoted fingers 102 hingedly connected thereto,as by a pin 1G4 extending thelength of the beam. It will be noted thatthe beam 100 has a flange portion 106 extending its length and whichengages the fingers 102 and limits pivoting movement in one direction,while pivoting movement in the other direction is thus facilitated. Aspring blade 108 is secured to and also extends the length of the beam100 to yiel'dingly urge the fingers 102 against the flanges 106.

The arrangement is such that upon rotation of the reed shaft 26, thereed fingers pass between the series of warp threads in properly timedrelation to beat up or press the succeeding filler or weft threadsemerging from the carriers and spacers through the aligned slots 44 and82 into the fell of the cloth or fabric. The spring means 108 thusmaintain a constant tension upon the fingers which are, however,permitted to yield at the beat-up of each pick so that the fingers 102can slide up and over the fell of the cloth.

Referring now especially to Figure 3, it will be seen that the warpthread 40 of the carrier segment 42B extends along the spoke-likesupport 52, along one side of the same, and passes through the pair ofapertures 54, emerging on the same side of its carrier segment as thatside upon which the bobbin lies, the thread passing through themid-portion of the carrier plate and extending into the fell F, seeFigures 5 and 7. The warp thread 40 of the bobbin upon the other carriersegment plate 42A extends along the same side of the other carriersegment 42A, passes through the aperture 54, and extending upon theother side of the carrier, also extends horizontally into the fell ofthe fabric. Thus, the pair of warp threads 40 carried by the two carriersegments 42A and 42B are disposed upon opposite sides of those segments,being divided by the segments which rotate therebetween, in a mannerwhich will be readily apparent from Figures 5 and 7.

As thus far disclosed, it will be evident that the eight warp threadscarried by the four carrier plates upon the eight bobbins mounted upontheir eight segments are so disposed that the two threads carried by thetwo segments of a single carrier are divided by that carrier whichpasses therebetween; and only two threads, one from each of two adjacentcarriers, lie in the space between those two carriers.

The above described disposition of the warp threads relative to theircarriers will result in a plain weave of the fabric. The apparatus isinherently capable of other weaves. For example, both warp threads fromthe two bobbins on the two segments of a carrier may be positioned uponthe same side of the carrier and will be twisted together to produce asingle composite thread,

with the filling thread lying therebetween resulting in a differentweave. Further, omitting bobbins in either segment of any carrier willalter the weave. Still further, omitting some reciprocations of the eye204 or operating the same intermittently rather than continuously willproduce a new weave.

It is desirable to prevent the rotating bobbins from rubhing against thewarp threads as the former pass between the latter. Accordinglygenerally conical shields or guards 51, see Figures 2 and 14, areprovided upon the leading edges of the spokes 52 and are of a generallyV-shaped configuration to further part the two warp threads lying uponadjacent sides of the carriers as the carriers and their bobbins rotate.As will be noted from Figure 14, the shields are disposed at variousangular inclinations, depending upon the particular pair of warp threadswhich they are to pass between.

Weft or filler thread assembly In the rotary weaving machine inaccordance with this invention, as disclosed in this specification anddrawings, the weft or filler thread of the fabric consists of a singlestrand or thread 200 which is fed from a single stationary ball ofthread 202 conveniently positioned upon the supporting framework of theapparatus. This thread passes through the eye 204 of a filler laying arm206 which is moved back and forth across the back of the machine to laysuccessive transverse courses of the weft thread in proper position forthe filler or pick arms 96 to pass the same between the segments of thecarriers and through the aligned slots 44, through the shed andsubsequently through the reed assembly into the fell of the fabric.

In order to effect this purpose, there are provided a pair of flanged,toothed wheels or pulleys 208 mounted upon suitable axles 210 journaled,as at 212, in standards 214, these axles being driven, as by bevel gears216, from a suitable source of power, as at 218. An endless belt orsprocket chain 220 having a toothed inner surface engaging the teethupon the wheels 208 is entrained over these wheels. The above mentionedfiller laying arm 206 is attached to the belt or chain 220, as shown inFigure 2, and is angulated whereby as the arm travels in an oval pathupon rotation of the belt, the eye 204 will travel in a straight linealong the line of centers of the two pulleys. For that purpose, it willbe observed that the arm is offset so that the eye bearing portion willlie in the same horizontal plane as the plane extending through thecenters of the axles 210 and, being swivelly mounted in the arm, the eyewill consequently travel in that plane, remain upright, and does notturn over with the arm.

In order'to properly position the filling or weft thread for engagementby the pick arms, there are provided a pair of guide rails, of theconstruction shown in Figure 11. These rails, indicated generally by thenumeral 224, are preferably rod-like in shape, having a horizontalsection 226 which lies substantially horizontally and substantiallyalong the horizontal path of travel of the weft thread as the same ismoved through the slot 44 and thorugh the shed in the carriers; togetherwith a vertical portion 228 and a base portion 230. The latter may beconveniently secured in any desired manner, and for example, may bereleasably clamped between a pair of disks 232 Which are adjustablyretained, as by collars and setscrews 234, and mounted upon a spacershaft 84. The two rails, one being disposed at each side of the entireset of carriers, are so positioned that when the filler eye 204 lays ahorizontal course of the weft thread across the back of the machine, theupwardly travelling pick arms 96 will pass the thread along the curvedportion 228 and lift the thread through the slot 80 beneath the lowerend of the spacer 74, and into the seires of aligned slots 44 of thecarrier plates. The thread then travels through this slot, through theshed formed by the carrier plates as set forth hereinafter, beingsupported in a substantially horizontal transverse position until thethread passes from between the carrier segments, and out of the slot 44,and is forced by the lower half of the warp threads up and off the endof the pick arm 96 Where it is engaged by the reeds and beaten into thefell F of the fabric.

Weaving operation In order to understand more clearly the operation ofthe rotary shed, and the successive opening and closing of the same bythe rotating bobbin carriers 42 and bobbins 48, attention is directed tothe diagrammatic views of Figures 9 and 10. In Figure 9, it will be seenthat a carrier 42 has in its two segments the two warp threads AA and BBon opposite sides of the carrier and extending from bobbins each carriedby one of the segments of the carrier 42 and extending horizontallytherefrom through eyes 54 (see Figure 3) into the fell of the fabric. Itwill be observed that one thread AA in the same segment of every carrieris raised above the weft thread C which may thus pass between the twothreads AA and BB, this constituting one shed of the device. It will beunderstood that the weft thread C travels through the carrier 42 bymeans of the curved slot 44 therein.

After rotating the two carrier segments are reversed as in Figure10'whereby the thread AA is now disposed below the thread BB and thusthe opposite shed is now open for the next course of the weft thread Cto pass therethrough. Thus, by the continuous rotation of the carriers,the. sheds of the warp threads are alternated, allowing successivetransverse courses of the single weft thread to be passed therethrough.

It is an importantadvantage of this invention that the shed may be ofvery small width, since due to the sliding and guided passage of thefiller therethrough, only the width ofthe slot is necessary; and theactual displacement of the warp threads during the forming of the shedmay be of the order of about one-sixteenth of an, inch. This greatlyreduces breakage of the warp threads.

Aswill be seen better by reference to Figures 2, 6 and 8, the motion ofthe pick arms 96 is synchronized with the turning of the carriers 42 andwith the slots 44 therein so that as the pick arms pass the fillingthread 200 through the slot, they travel along the curved slot 44 andalso travel in the horizontal plane of the Warp threads.

Because of the curve' of the edges of the slot 44, it will be observedthat nearly all of the edge of the slot of the uppermost segment of thecarrier will have passed between and thus have maintained separated thesame pair of warp threads prior to the emergence of the filler threadfrom the end of the slot and which were previously separated by theother segment of the carrier. Thus, there is no possibility of the warpthreads becoming entangled in the slots 44 of the carrier segments or ofcrossing over to the other side of the carrier segment.

As hereinafter mentioned, the device may be readily adjusted to impartany desired twist to the Warp threads, thereby producing different typesof woven fabrics.

In operation, the use of reciprocating mechanisms has been substantiallyentirely eliminated, and the high speed possibilities of operationinherent in rotating mechanisms has been largely substituted therefor.It is believed to be thus apparent that a loom in accordance with thisinvention is capable of a considerably greater speed of operation andwith less wear than is required in conventional looms; and that thepossibilities of failures arising from the handling of a large number ofweft threads with the conventional picking mechanism are substantiallyeliminated.

As has been previously mentioned a purpose and function of thisinvention is to impart various twists to the warp threads during theweaving operation. Reference is now made to Figures 1416 for thedisclosure of a satisfactory method for realizing this phase of theinvention.

Since the bobbins 48 are secured along radii of the revoluble carriersegments, a twist or turn will be imparted to each warp thread upon eachcarrier rotation. This twist will be right hand or left hand, dependingupon which side of the carrier the warp thread extends. In order toprovide a controlled number of turns of twist, in either direction,provision is made for automatically rotating each bobbin a predeterminednumber games of turns or portions of turns about its longitudinal Tothis purpose each carrier 42 has its spoke 52 pro vided with a lateralsupport bracket 61 in which'is rotatably journaled the spindle 63 of therevolving holder of a bobbin 48. As will be apparent the bracket isdisposed outwardly of and the tapered warp dispensing end of the bobbinextends-toward the axis of rotation of the carrier.

Upon the portion of the'spi-ndle [63 extending radially outwardly of thebracket are provided a plurality of fingers 69 extending radially fromthe stem. These fingers are positioned for engagement by a stationarybut adjustable actuator, whereby during rotation of the bobbins aboutthe axis of rotation of the carriers, the bobbin will be caused torotate a predetermined, controlled amount about their own axis ofrotation.

It is desirable that half of the bobbins in each unit, that is one groupof bobbins for each of the different segments of each carrier, berotated in one direction and the other group of bobbins in the otherdirection, since in a plain weave all warp threads of segments 42Aextend on different sides of the carrier plates from those of segments42B.

To effect this last mentioned rotation, two sets of actuating pins areprovided for each set of carrier plates. These may be supported in anydesired manner in posi tions radially outwardly of but closely adjacentto the peripheries of the rotating carriers. As shown diagrammaticallyin Figures 14-16 the adjustable twisting mechanism indicated generallyby the numerals 101 and 101A in Figure 1 comprises each a reciprocablebody 103, slidable in a guide structure 105. Each of the sets of carrierplates has a pair of the bodies 103, disposed on opposite sides. Eachbody is yieldingly urged outwardly or into its inoperative position bysprings 107 and adjustably moved inwardly or into its operating positionby a camshaft 109 and cams 111 or 111A. Adjustably secured in bores ineach body 103 as by setscrews 113 are a plurality of the actuating pins115. The pins of the two sets of bodies are divided into two rows as at117 and119 and disposed with the bodies on opposite sides of the centerline of the bobbins of the associated set of carrier plates, the rowsbeing adapted to impart opposite twists to the warp threads as thefingers strike and are rotated by their engagement with the stationarypins. V

The two sets of cams 111 and 111A are disposed at 180 intervals and areadapted to move the bodies 103 of the units 101, 101A and hence the pins115 into position whereby they will engage and rotate the fingers 69.Each pin will rotate each bobbin of its associated set of bobbinsthrough a predetermined portion .of a turn; and

'by adjusting through the setscrews 113 the desired number of pins intoproper position, any desired extent of rotation can be accomplished.

Obviously any desirednumberof adjusting assemblies 101 may be provided.aboutvthe circumference of the carriers and a pair or a plurality ofpairs of such assemblies will be provided for each carrier unit orassembly.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, allsuitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A rotary weaving machine including a plurality of circular diskscomprising carriers disposed in spaced side by side relation forrotation about a common axis of rotation, each carrier comprising a pairof segments However, since 10 defining a slot extending diametricallytherebet'weefl, means supporting all of said segments of all of said'c'a'rriers at their peripheries for rotation about 'said common axis,each segment having a warp thread bobbin mounted thereon, the segmentsof each carrier having eyes disposed closely adjacent to the commonaxisbut on opposite sides thereof and each being adapted for having awarp thread therethrough whereby to provide a shed reciprocating acrosssaid slots, a pick arm shaft parallel to said common axis, a pluralityof pick arms on said shaft, each pick arm being positioned for movementbetween a pair of adjacent carriers, means for laying a filling threadacross all of said pick arms whereby the latter will move the threadthrough the slots in said carriers andinto the shed, means for beatingthe filling thread into the fell after its emergence from the slots.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the warp threads from the bobbinson each carrier lie on opposite sides thereof.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the warp threads from the bobbinson each carrier lie on opposite sides thereof, a guard surrounding eachbobbin, said guards each having an edge for separating and passingbetween the pair of threads of the same carrier.

'4. The combination of claim 1 including means for each bobbin forimparting rotation thereof about an axis extending radially of saidcommon axis whereby to impa-rt atwist to the bobbin warp threads duringsaid rotation about said common axis.

5. The combination of claim 1 including means for each bobbin forimparting rotation thereof about an axis extending radially 'of saidcommon axis whereby to impart a twist to the bobbin warp threads duringsaid rotation about said common axis, said last means comprising sets ofactuating pins on each side of the central plane of rotation of saidbobbins, a holder secured to each bobbin, fingers on said holder, meansfor moving one of said sets of actuating pins into the path of travel ofsaid fingers whereby to impart rotation to the bobbins during eachrevolution thereof about said common axis.

6. The combination of claim 1 including guide means for positioning saidfilling thread in registry with the slots of all of said carriers.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the bobbins of all of the carriersof one set lie in the same plane.

8. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, means supportingsaid bobbins in spaced positions about a common axis of rotation, meansfor causing movement of said bobbins about said common axis, means forcausing during said movement relative vertical displacement of selectedbobbins and the warp threads extending therefrom for providing alternatesheds, means for passing courses of filling through said sheds.

9. In a rotary weaving machine, warp thread bobbins, means supportingsaid bobbins for rotation about a common axis of rotation, means forcausing during rotation of said bobbins about said common axis relativevertical displacement of selected bobbins and the warp threads extendingtherefrom for providing alternate sheds, means for imparting controlledrotation to at least one of said bobbins about an axis independent ofsaid common axis and during at least a part of each rotation of thebobbin about said common axis to thereby produce a twist in the 'warpthread extending from the last-mentioned bobbin.

'10. The combination of claim 8 including means for pressing the fillinginto the fell.

11. A rotary weaving machine comprising in combination with conventionalloom take-up mechanism for holdingone end of wary threads in asubstantially stationary position, means for supporting the other endsof said warp threads in spaced relation to each other about a commonaxisof rotation, means for causing rotation of said other ends aboutsaid axis whereby to effect relative vertical displacement of said otherends and thereby provide alternate sheds, means for passing courses offilling through said sheds.

' 12. A method of weaving comprising holding in relatively fixedposition one end of each of a plurality of warp threads, revolving theother end of each of said warp threads about a common axis to producethereby a reciproeating shed, passing a filling thread through said shedduring rotation of said other ends.

13. The method of claim 12 including the step of feeding the Warpthreads from said other ends into the fell during the rotation of saidother ends.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the rotation of said other ends iseffected continuously.

15. The method of claim 12 including the additional step of rotating atleast one other end of said warp threads about an axis which isindependent of said common axis for thereby imparting a controlled twistto that warp thread.

16. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, meanssupporting said bobbins in positions radiating about a common axis,means causing rotation of said bobbins about said common axis, meansadjacent said common axis for alternately vertically displacing selectedwarp threads for providing alternate sheds, means for passing successivecourses of filling through said alternate sheds, means for pressing thefilling into the fell, a rotating reed shaft having reed arms rotatablebetween said warp threads for engaging a filling thread and pressing itinto the fell, said reed arms having yieldable fingers thereon. v

17. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, meanssupporting each bobbin in positions radiating about a common axis, meanscausing rotation of said bobbins about said common axis, means adjacentsaid common axis for alternately vertically displacing selected warpthreads for providing alternate sheds, means for passing successivecourse of filling through said alternate sheds, a plurality of carriers,each carrier supporting at least one bobbin thereon.

18. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, meanssupporting each bobbin in positions radiating about a common axis, meanscausing rotation of said bobbins about said common axis, means adjacentsaid common axis for alternately vertically displacing selected warpthreads for providing alternate sheds, means for passing successivecourses of filling through said alternate sheds, a plurality ofcarriers, each carrier supporting at least a pair of bobbins thereon,each carrier having eyes each receiving a warp thread from a bobbin at aposition close to said common axis.

19. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, meanssupporting each bobbin in positions radiating about a common axis, meanscausing rotation of said bobbins about said common axis, means adjacentsaid common axis for alternately vertically displacing selected warpthreads for providing alternate sheds, means for passing successivecourses of filling through said alternate sheds, a plurality ofcarriers, each carrier supporting a pair of bobbins thereon, saidcarriers each comprising a pair of segments having a substantiallydiametrically extending passage therebetween, said pair of bobbins beingdisposed on opposite sides of said passage, said passage being adaptedfor passage of a filling thread therethrough.

20. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, meanssupporting each bobbin in positions radiating about a common axis, meanscausing rotation of said bobbins about said common axis, means adjacentsaid common axis for alternately vertically displacing selected warpthreads for providing alternate sheds, means for passing successivecourses of filling through said alternate sheds, a plurality ofcarriers, each carrier supporting a pair of bobbins thereon, saidcarriers each comprising a pair of segments having a substantiallydiametrically extending passage therebetween, said passage extendingthroughj'sai'd sheds and-being adapted for passage of a filling threadtherethrough, means for mounting said carrier segments on theirperipheries for rotation about said .common axis. a '21. A method ofweaving comprising rotating a plurality of bobbins disposed on radiiabout a common axis and each dispensing a warp thread, about said common'axis extending transversely of the warp thread and producing thereby areciprocating shed by continuous rotaand each dispensing a warp thread,about said common 15 axis extending transversely of the warp thread andproducing thereby a reciprocating shed by continuous rotation-of saidbobbins about said common axis, passing a continuous single fillerthread through the shed to form successive courses of weaving.

23. A method of weaving comprising rotating a plurality of bobbinsdisposed on radii about a common axis and each dispensing a warp thread,about said common axis extending transversely of the warp thread andpro- .ducing thereby a reciprocating shed by continuous rotatation ofits bobbin during said rotation of the latter.

24. The method of claim 23 including-imparting adjustable rotation tosaid bobbins about axes which are independent of said common axis. e

25. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, meanssupporting said bobbins in spaced sideby-side positions for rotation inparallel planes about a common axis of rotation, means for causingmovement of said bobbins about said common axis, means for causingduring said movement relative vertical displacement of selected bobbinsand the warp threads extending therefrom for providing alternate sheds,means for passing courses of filling by movement thereof in thedirection of the warp threads through said sheds.

26. A rotary weaving machine comprising in combination with conventionalloom take-up mechanism for bold ing one end of warp threads in asubstantially stationary position, means for supporting the other endsof said warp threads in spaced relation to each other for rotating ,inparallel planes about a common axis of rotation, means threads inparallel planes about a common axis to produce thereby a reciprocatingshed, passing a filling thread by movement thereof in the direction ofthe warp threads through said shed during rotation of said other ends.

28. The method of claim 27 including the additional step of rotating atleast one other end of said warp threads about an axis which isindependent of said common axis for thereby imparting a controlled twistto that warp thread.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS427,105 Morris May 5, 1890 1,184,790 Trautvetter May 30, 1916 FOREIGNPATENTS 7 165,790 Austria Apr. 25, 1950 393,779' Germany Apr. 8, 1924

